Connect2Employment Celebrating Women in Leadership: An Interview with Jane Stredder

We are proud to have strong female leaders guiding our teams. One such leader is Jane Stredder, our Business Manager, who has made an incredible impact through her leadership, determination, and passion for recruitment. We had the privilege of speaking with Jane about her career journey, her inspirations, and her advice for future female leaders.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a leadership role in recruitment, and how do you empower other women to do the same?
A: My passion for wanting to enhance peoples lives and help them find the best role for their needs at that time is the base for my career. This drive and commitment to quality, integrity, empathy and building a like minded team has always brought me the results necessary to succeed. Not only do we succeed in helping people and thus the community but also, we help ourselves. Appreciating strengths in each other and supporting each other helps us grow and develop.
Emotional intelligence is the core of all my teams’ strengths and due to this we have always given the highest standard of support, and being solution orientated in any situation shines through.
Lastly the “fun” aspect is key. If we are happy and are a “work family” we can enjoy the most challenging times by each supporting the other. Plus, the learning daily is key. Having people that compliment each other and are on the same emotional intelligence level makes the perfect team that can only grow and maximise their potential in their career.
I encourage people into taking on challenges that I know they are more than capable of, but they lack the confidence. This has shone through with all of my team, and they are in a very different place to where they were 4.5 years ago. They also now understand our culture and how to enhance each other’s lives as well as our candidates, clients and community.

Q: Who has been an inspirational figure in your career, and why?
A: Firstly, myself, in how I have grown and developed from my first key role. But I would never have achieved what I have without my team. I have built my team because they all have inspired me in different ways.
Another person is Helen Archer- Lock, Managing Director, whom I have worked with for the past 4.5 years. A unique, ultra intelligent woman whom I have learnt the most from in terms of senior work colleagues. Driven, resilient, emotionally intelligent and a brain that works in ways that mine does not, which means I have learnt more from her than any other senior person in the last 38 years.

Q: What advice would you give to future female leaders in the recruitment industry?
A: Listen, question, and surround yourself with like minded people. This will give you the extra resilience that is needed to excel in an ever-changing industry.
Enhancing a culture will attract and retain the best people and thus create and maintain the best business.

Jane's insights remind us of the importance of perseverance, authenticity, and continuous learning in leadership. Her journey serves as inspiration for women aspiring to grow in their careers and make a meaningful impact in their industries.

We celebrate all women who lead, inspire, and support one another. Let’s continue working towards a future where every woman has the opportunity to succeed.